Harassment & Diversity: Respecting Differences - Manager Version

Differences in the workplace population – age, sex, sexual orientation, racial and ethnic backgrounds – bring a richness to the work environment, but can also lead to misunderstandings, friction and, ultimately, forms of harassment. An environment which overlooks or appears to tolerate harassment can create a toxic atmosphere that pits employees against each other and can diffuse energies that could be better used to promote productivity.

It is the manager’s responsibility to ensure that employees are treated fairly and feel comfortable in the workplace. Although there is an area of subjectivity in defining fairness, comfort and harassment, this training video helps clarify these concepts within a legal framework and helps viewers to feel empowered to take steps when behavior patterns threaten harmony at work.

Host Bruce Sarchet, an employment law attorney with Littler Mendelson PC, explains why courtesy and respect among employees is not only good manners, but sound policy, and how it benefits both employer and employees legally.